If everyday movements like climbing stairs, opening a jar, or getting out of bed have become stiff or painful, you may be feeling the effects of osteoarthritis (OA). You’re not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 32 million Americans live with this progressive joint condition. OA can impact joints in both the upper and lower body, as well as the spine, limiting mobility and affecting quality of life.
Southeast Georgia Health System Cancer Care Centers and CyberKnife program medical director Dr. Timothy A. Jamieson with True Beam patient Elizabeth Davison
St. Simons Island resident Elizabeth Davison, 80, knows how debilitating OA can be. An automobile crash in 2020 severely injured both of her ankles. Several surgeries and a bone infection later, she developed OA, a limited range of motion, and a significant limp. Conservative treatments did not relieve her pain. As if that weren’t enough, Ms. Davison also had lung cancer. While meeting with her radiation oncologist, Timothy A. Jamieson, MD, Ph.D., he asked about the pain in her ankles.
“What followed afterward was life-changing, beginning with Dr. Jamieson’s mapping of my treatment plan for OA,” Ms. Davison says.
Dr. Jamieson is the medical director of the Southeast Georgia Health System Cancer Care Centers and CyberKnife program. Working with radiation therapists, primary care physicians, rheumatologists, and orthopedists, he oversees Varian TrueBeam low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) treatments for OA patients. He recommended a noninvasive, nonsurgical treatment to alleviate Ms. Davison’s chronic OA pain.
“The TrueBeam OA protocol uses extremely low doses of radiation—less than 5% of what is used in cancer treatments,” he explains. “There’s no recorded case of cancer developing in a patient who received LDRT for osteoarthritis.”
For Ms. Davison, TrueBeam was a godsend. “I have no more discomfort, a pretty good range of motion, and a normal stride,” she says.
Some patients can reduce or eliminate their medication after treatment; others choose TrueBeam LDRT as an alternative to surgery. Low-dose radiation treatment, Dr. Jamieson explains, “is also used to treat plantar fasciitis, bursitis and tendonitis—basically, any benign inflammatory disease, in addition to cancer.”
How Does LDRT Work?
As cartilage wears down and the joints approach the bone-on-bone stage, inflammation and pain occur. Inflammation is also triggered when the white blood cells secrete certain chemicals. Low-dose radiation calms that process by altering the inflammatory chemicals. By calming inflammation, TrueBeam LDRT reduces pain and slows the progression of OA.
Six treatments delivered over two weeks can provide pain relief that lasts up to two years. Each outpatient session takes less than 15 minutes, requires no anesthesia, and causes no discomfort, making it a convenient option for most people. “Patients can drive home afterward,” says Dr. Jamieson.
A Proven Track Record
LDRT does not harm healthy joints. Side effects are uncommon and typically mild, such as a skin rash or fatigue. Dr. Jamieson says the benefits of TrueBeam treatment outweigh these small risks. He recommends trying conservative treatments first, though some patients choose to continue physical therapy and steroid injections while receiving LDRT.
Elizabeth Davison is grateful that the Health System is on the forefront of LDRT’s growing popularity in the United States. It restored her ability to enjoy an all-American pastime. “I'm a big baseball fan,” she says. “I go to 10 or so Atlanta Braves games a year and had to pull myself up the railing as I took steps one-footed. I cannot wait to go back this year. I feel like a new woman!”
Are You a Candidate?
To qualify for TrueBeam low-dose radiation treatment, you should be at least 35 years old, with mild to moderate osteoarthritis. Pregnant women cannot receive LDRT. A radiation oncologist, along with your primary care provider or orthopaedist will review your medical history before approving treatment. Referrals are required. To learn if TrueBeam LDRT can relieve your OA pain, visit sghs.org/LDRT.
